Thomas Weatherall: Age, Ethnicity & Heartbreak High Role

If you’ve watched the Netflix reboot of Heartbreak High, you’ve likely been captivated by Malakai Mitchell — a character whose warmth and complexity made him an instant fan favourite. That performance comes from Thomas Weatherall, a Kamilaroi actor and playwright from Australia.

Born: 22 August 2000 ·
Age: 24 (as of 2025) ·
Ethnicity: Kamilaroi (Aboriginal Australian) ·
Known for: Heartbreak High, RFDS, Blue ·
Height: approx. 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) ·
Instagram followers: 309K+

Eight facts about Thomas Weatherall at a glance, from his birth details to his professional footprint:

How old is Thomas Weatherall?

Thomas Weatherall was born on 22 August 2000, according to Wikipedia (the user-edited encyclopedia). That makes him 24 years old as of 2025. ABC News (the Australian public broadcaster) referred to him as a 23-year-old in May 2024, consistent with the August 2000 birth date.

The implication: his birth date is solidly documented, while his height remains unverified.

What is Thomas Weatherall’s ethnicity?

Weatherall is a Kamilaroi man — an Aboriginal Australian group from northern New South Wales. ABC News and The Sydney Morning Herald (major Australian newspaper) both confirm this identity. In Heartbreak High, his character Malakai is also Indigenous Australian, which has led some viewers to ask whether the actor is of African descent. Weatherall is not Black in the African diaspora sense; the character’s use of “black” in the show refers to Indigenous identity within the Australian context.

Is Thomas Weatherall black?

• The actor is Kamilaroi Aboriginal, not African American or African.
• In Heartbreak High, Malakai identifies as “black” in the Australian Aboriginal sense — a common usage among Indigenous Australians.
• The distinction matters: Weatherall’s ethnicity is Indigenous Australian, not African.

What this means: the actor’s Indigenous identity is central to his public role, but the term “black” in the show carries a specific cultural meaning.

Who plays Malakai in Heartbreak High?

Thomas Weatherall portrays Malakai Mitchell in the Netflix reboot of Heartbreak High, which premiered in 2022. Aurora Artists (his talent agency) lists the role as his breakout performance. He also won an AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama and a Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Supporting Actor for the part.

Did Thomas Weatherall write Heartbreak High?

No — he is an actor and playwright, but he did not write the series. However, Weatherall wrote his own play Blue, which premiered at Belvoir Theatre in 2023 and later toured to La Boite Theatre. The Guardian (the UK-based news outlet) reported that he was always more interested in writing. His parents are not publicly named.

The pattern: his breakout role overshadows his writing, but his playwriting career is emerging.

How tall is Thomas Weatherall?

There is no official height measurement from any verified source. Based on visual comparisons with co-stars, Weatherall appears to be around 5 ft 10 in (178 cm). This remains an estimate, as no agency or medical record has published his height. It’s listed in the “What’s unclear” category above.

The catch: height is a frequent fan query, but no official source exists.

Is Thomas Weatherall in a relationship?

Weatherall has not publicly confirmed a relationship. WHO Magazine (an Australian entertainment publication) notes that he keeps his personal life private. In Heartbreak High, his character Malakai dates Sasha in season 1 and later Harper, but those storylines are fictional.

What this means: his private life is intentionally undisclosed, and on-screen relationships are not reflective of his personal status.

Who is asexual in Heartbreak High?

The character Ca$h (played by Joshua Heuston) is asexual in the series. In season 1, Malakai’s friend Rowan expresses ambiguous feelings — ABC News covered the show’s inclusive representation. Rowan’s feelings for Malakai are not explicitly romantic; the show leaves them open to interpretation.

Did Rowan actually like Malakai?

Rowan’s interest in Malakai is portrayed as a deep friendship that may or may not be romantic. The show does not confirm a crush, and the ambiguity is part of the character’s arc.

Weatherall’s story is still unfolding. For a young actor with a Kamilaroi identity, an AACTA Award, and a growing writing career, the next chapter promises to be as compelling as the one that launched him. For Australian audiences, his rise signals a shift toward authentic Indigenous representation on screen — and for international viewers, a chance to learn about the depth of Aboriginal storytelling. The choice is clear: watch Thomas Weatherall’s work, follow his career, and let the facts speak for themselves.

For more on Australian actors, see the profiles of Lincoln Lewis and Adam Garcia.